Posts tagged with "tattoo"

A native of Seoul, South Korea, Young Bae’s childhood reads like a painful chapter of Oliver Twist. Using her innate talent – art – to overcome years of poverty, homelessness and abuse, Young managed to escape.

Young’s mom, an artist herself, was consistently unable to provide and care for her children and members of their community refused to volunteer assistance. Young recalls the cultural reaction to her family’s suffering with clarity,

“Korea is a materialistic country,” confides Young, now proprietor of the marquee Diamond Tattoos shop in New York City’s Times Square. “No matter how hard you work, it is hard to break away from poverty – nobody gives you an opportunity. If you’re poor, you’re poor for life. They treat the less fortunate like shit, hence I couldn’t talk to anybody about how I was living – not even my best friend. So I kept it all a secret, as best I could.”

Young did her best to mix in with other more privileged kids, even as she and her family moved around in church basements, abandoned houses and even a shipping container throughout her teenage years. “I may have been homeless with no money, but I was always fresh and fashionable,” says the self-taught tattoo queen has come a long way to now ink high-profile clientele and eager fans of the drama-filled show, “Black Ink.” “When my family didn’t have access to a shower I would clean up at public restrooms every morning. I’d also get hand-me-down-clothes from church and create my own fashions, or at least I tried to. My teachers suspected I was poor because there were things I couldn’t pay for, but for the most part I think I flew under the radar.”

She didn’t fly under the radar though when it came to her talent, her teachers and classmates acknowledged her ability to sketch, draw as well as paint. Young began receiving accolades for her fabrications, using the sales to buy basic necessities.

Young was able to land a partial academic scholarship to a college where she continued to hone her craft until she was ready to leave Korea.

“New York is an artist’s city,” says the Chugye University graduate, “so it just made sense.”

They say if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere and the bonafide hustler Young took the motto to heart. In 2007, the 22-year-old made a beeline for Koreatown in Manhattan, touching down with just $80 and a student visa to study English, she landed a job at a local nail salon.

Despite a language barrier, she wouldn’t stop there. Young continued job hunting, getting jobs at restaurants, jewelry shops, even illegally hawking her art in New York’s famed Union Square. All this to make her share of the rent for a small place with roommates in New Jersey.

On the way to the tattoo shop in NYC, the neon lights of New York City brightly shined on the other side of the Lincoln Tunnel.

Tattooing was illegal in South Korea so Young had no experience. “I walked in, took a look around at the tattoo sketches on the wall, and thought, hey, I could do this. So I offered the shop owners a barter: in exchange for giving me a shot I would clean their shop for free. They agreed.” With that, her apprenticeship commenced.

In no time, Young became confident in her skills and moved to another shop where she could demand a tattoo artist’s wages. Quickly becoming the most requested artist in the shop, Young decided look into owning and operating her own business.

“I rented this little ratty spot on 46th Street in Times Square. It was literally a storage room in the back of an eyebrow threading shop. I got licensed, worked like three additional jobs to afford the $1000/month overhead and scoured the area to find shelves, paint and other stuff to decorate. I upholstered my first tattoo chairs with fake leather I found on the street. Then every day I’d go hold up this human-sized sign advertising my shop, and miraculously people showed up. Eventually so many showed up, I quickly outgrew the space!”

With Young’s growing credibility and reputation among fellow artists throughout the tri-state area, it was no wonder that reality TV show producers eventually came calling.

“My shop might not have been the fanciest, but my work was good and news about me began to spread quickly. It kept getting bigger and busier every year,” she says.

Young was delighted to join VH1’s popular show “Black Ink Crew: New York” during its fifth season. Heading into its seventh season, Young Bae is a fascinating and loveable character to watch.

Through it all, Young gives God the credit for not just where she is today but where’s she’s headed, “I had faith that poverty, homelessness and abuse wouldn’t be the end of my story. I went through all of what I did so I could come out on top on the other end and eventually go on to help others who are vulnerable like I was. There is greatness waiting for us all and I’m determined to live and share my best life now.”

Currently, Young Bae is working on an athleisure line 2one2 and a book sharing her life experiences.

“Trippie Redd has shown fans he can do it all. From singing over hard-hitting rock sounds to making laid-back melodic raps and spitting ferocious bars, the rhymer proves he’s got the right formula to be hip-hop’s next big superstar.” – XXL

Multi-platinum Canton, OH, rapper and singer Trippie Redd releases his new album: Life’s A Trip” which includes his latest track “Taking A Walk” produced by Scott Storch (10K Projects/Caroline).

On his own terms, 19-year old Trippie Redd has impacted hip-hop culture being named rap’s next Rockstar by XXL, Mass Appeal, Pigeons & Planes, and Noisey. In addition to generating 1.2 billion-plus streams, he was named Spotify “Rise Artist,” “Artist to Watch” by Rolling Stone, and landed on the cover of the 2018 XXL Freshman Class.

“Singing real shit that people all over the world can relate to timeless,” says Trippie. “Timeless music literally is a concept I can live on.”

Trippie’s breakout mixtapes “A Love Letter To You” and “A Love Letter To You 2.” hit the stratosphere in 2017. Praised for his lyrics as well as his style, he chronicles love and heartbreak from the streets and experience. Trippie became serious upon becoming a rapper upon encouragement from his older brother. Trippie Redd would later get a scar tattoo on his face to honor him after died in road accident in 2014 –pushing Trippie to work harder on his music. He grew up being raised by his single-parent mother (his father was incarcerated since Trippie’s birth). “Life’s A Trip” continues to share Trippie’s eccentrically-wild world as seen through Trippie’s eyes. He finds influences from Gorillaz, Erykah Badu, Drake, Marilyn Manson, Tupac, Nirvana, and Lil Wayne (among others).

We’ve hit double digits! Since opening its doors on July 12, 2008, the Harley-Davidson Museum has welcomed hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts, riders and non-riders from around the globe to pay homage to the history and heritage of Harley-Davidson that comes to life at 6th& Canal.

Join the Harley-Davidson Museum July 12-15 as we celebrate a full decade of being one of Milwaukee’s top tourist destinations. Of course, the celebration begins with a bang at Bike Night.

Whether you visited during our inaugural year in 2008 or you rode down on your Harley-Davidson for the last Bike Night, the H-D Museum always has something new to see or do, including a few just-opened exhibits. Join us for more than a few surprises as we invite our neighbors in Milwaukee and our friends from the world over to help us mark this milestone in Harley-Davidson history.

Here are just a few of the activities planned for our Birthday weekend:

Thursday kick-off withBike Nightfeaturing 10 years of Museum trivia, live music by the Radio Wranglers and fireworks around 8:50 p.m.

Friday, join WISN-TV and 99.1 The Mix forCoffee with the Morning Crew. Enjoy a complimentary cup of Joe and enter to win terrific prizes, including a Harley-Davidson 115thAnniversary Chrome Rally pack.

Thursday, kickstart the party with Bike Night where we’ll feature 10 years of Museum trivia, live music by The Radio Wranglers, a Milwaukee Fire Department Fire Boat Show at 7 p.m. before we end with a bang when the fireworks show begins at 8:50 p.m.

Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Harley-Davidson Panhead Engine

Featuring the 16th Annual Knucklehead Company Reunion

Marking the Museum’s 10th Birthday

Come celebrate Harley-Davidson’s unrivaled motorcycle heritage with a vintage 1940s-style motorcycle rally at the H-D Museum.™ In partnership with the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA), the H-D Museum™ will host a 70th Anniversary celebration of the legendary Panhead Engine, featuring a timeline of these historic motorcycles dating back to 1948 and running through 1965. Panhead fans from the world over are invited to Milwaukee to show off – or admire – these iconic rolling sculptures.

Plus, enter for your chance to win a customized Harley-Davidson motorcycle, inspired by the art of Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, father of the old-school American Tattoo.Click herefor more details.

Exhibits and Displays

“Taming the Road in Style”
Comfort, redefined by each new generation of riders, plays a significant role in Harley-Davidson’s ongoing story of combining cutting-edge innovation with timeless styling cues. The Harley-Davidson Museum’s newest exhibit, “Taming the Road in Style,” examines this history, drawing a line from the dawn of the bicycle to the launch of present-day Harley-Davidson Softail® models.

“Panorama”
Among the tens of thousands of pieces of original photographic material in the Harley-Davidson Archives, a number of panoramic images can be found in the collection. These large-scale photos provide a detailed visual record of motorcycle clubs, organized rides and outings, and formal portraits of military and police groups. “Panorama” includes framed original prints, as well as modern prints from negatives or digital scans.

The Engine Wall
The H-D Museum is proud to announce its all-new Engine Wall is currently on display. Designed for performance and styled for appearance, engines are at the center of Harley-Davidson’s identity. It is, after all, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The H-D Museum’s new Engine Wall artfully displays 24 examples from the major engine families that Harley-Davidson has engineered over its 115-year history alongside impressive interactive displays that let visitors dive deep into the motor’s workings and supplies the H-D enthusiast with tidbits and trivia related to the Motor Company’s legendary story.

Lobby display

1948, FL

OHV V-TWIN

In 1948, rider Jim Kobe purchased this motorcycle new for $965. In 1998, he donated it to Harley-Davidson. Kobe modified his bike over the 50 years that he owned it to enhance its performance. For example, he converted it to a 12-volt electrical system and upgraded from chain to belt drive. Kobe racked up more than 100,000 miles, earning the last few miles on his trip to Milwaukee to hand off the bike at Harley-Davidson’s 95th anniversary celebration.

The Museum offers free admission Friday evening only as part of the Historic Third Ward Association’s Gallery Night. Check out our new displays, get reacquainted with some of your favorites and prep for thatparty115 years in the making coming to town over Labor Day weekend.

Demo RidesDemo Rides are now available at the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum! Visit the Museum campus Saturdays* from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and throw a leg over a 2018 motorcycle to experience the fun and freedom that only a Harley-Davidson can deliver.
Visitors with their motorcycle endorsement will be able to choose from more than a dozen of the latest and greatest #FreedomMachines from Harley-Davidson, including Touring, Softail, Sportster and Street models. A pre-determined scenic route through the Menomonee Valley will give riders the chance to explore the Museum’s surrounding neighborhoods.

• Demo Rides will run 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. weather dependent.
• Sign-up is on a first come first service basis.
• Riders and passengers must be at least 18 years of age. Riders must hold a valid license with a motorcycle endorsement.
• All riders and passengers must wear a helmet, eye protection, shirt, long pants and closed toe shoes with heal strap. A limited selection of helmets, chaps and jackets will be available on site.*Demo Rides will not be available on Saturday July 14th or Saturday September 1st

JumpstartDon’t have a motorcycle endorsement? No problem. You can still experience the thrill that only comes from being on a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. The Harley-Davidson® JUMPSTART™ Rider Experience combines a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a specially-designed, stationary support stand. That means no previous motorcycle experience is necessary. The motorcyclewill nottip over. You’ll mount the bike, set your boots on the foot pegs and fire up the engine under the watchful eye of trained personnel. Give the throttle a twist and hear that unforgettable Harley sound. Sitting comfortably on the bike, you’ll continue to shift through the gears – all securely attached to the JUMPSTART™ platform. Visit the H-D Museum today and try it out.

TOURS

Inside H-D: All-Day Experience
Offered the first Friday of the month (through October). Also available for private group bookings. (12-person minimum).
The Inside H-D: All-Day Experience is an in-depth immersion into the world of Harley-Davidson. This guided tour kicks off in front of The Shed on the Harley-Davidson Museum® campus, where you’ll learn about the humble beginnings of the world’s most iconic motorcycle brand. Then it’s time to go inside the Harley-Davidson Museum for an exclusive guided tour featuring new exhibit content and conversation with the Curatorial, Archives or Conservation professionals who are behind the engaging stories on display and behind-the-scenes at the Museum. After the tour, the group will head over to Harley-Davidson Corporate Headquarters located on Juneau Avenue – which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lunch is served while employees from HDMC and the Harley-Davidson University will swap stories and provide a glimpse of the inner workings of H-D. Upon returning to the Museum, tour participants are invited to enjoy a special discount for The Shop at the H-D Museum™, where you’ll find unique clothes and merchandise found nowhere else. The day concludes with happy hour at MOTOR® Bar & Restaurant. Transportation to and from Corporate Headquarters is included.

For more information or to book your tour, call 414-287-2799 or emailgroups@h-dmuseum.

115th Anniversary
Aug. 29–Sept. 2, 2018
Mark your calendars because, for our 115th Anniversary, we’re throwing parties for the people. Celebrations all about riding, racing, meeting new friends and connecting with people from all over the world who share a passion for the freedom of two wheels. The H-D Museum™ will be the Central Rally Point all week long, and riders will have a list of destination rides and bike shows from which to choose.

About the Harley-Davidson MuseumA walk through the Harley-Davidson Museum® is a walk through the history of America. With an unrivaled collection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles and memorabilia, a 20-acre, park-like campus, and a calendar full of activities, the H-D Museum™ is one of Milwaukee’s top tourist destinations for visitors from around the globe. A visit to the H-D Museum™ is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Make your plans to visit the Harley-Davidson Museum® ath-dmuseum.com.

Hip-hop lyricist Michelle Cadreau has developed a writing and rapping style with both subtlety and introspection to reflect her Native Canadian Indian and Polish ancestry. With four CDs to her credit, the Hamilton, Ontario melds hypnotic and soulful beats with her trademark urban poetry to create a performance style that is equally juxtaposed and complementary.

Given the native Indian name Blue Sky at birth by her grandmother (who was born on a reserve in northern Ontario), Cadreau has a tattoo on her back of blue zebra stripes in the shape of an eye with the inscription ‘Blue Sky.’ It is a physical reminder of her spiritual relationship to the earth and heavens and her family.

With musical influences that include Biggie Smalls, Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg, Cadreau proudly emulates their style. Her ideas often come from a word or phrase that sparks inspiration and builds from there. She also credits her parents for her love of music. Both played in bands most of their lives – her mother (a nurse by profession) is a vocalist and drummer and her father a vocalist and bass guitarist.

Like her mother, Cadreau also plays drums, having begun lessons at age five. She is also an accomplished painter and jewelry designer and has a degree in interior design. Her connection to the visual arts has been a foundation for her lyrics, which paint pictures of the joy and pain of life.

Among her releases is the breakout number, “Precipitation,” an articulate and explicit song that boldly details a rapper giving a slam performance for fans; “Like a Killer,” uses boxing to symbolize violence; and “Hip Hop Clerk” is a commentary on making it in the music industry.

Also included is “Ineffable,” a look at fan adulation; “Give Me The Prize,” a nod to intelligence and the rewards it can provide; and “Tallest Mountain,” a heartfelt look at making your way up the hip hop ladder. Her strongest response by far from both fans and critics online has been for the song “Ghetto Survival,” which equates creating powerful rap music with persistence and success.

Cadreau is using her lyrical deftness and distinct vantage point to create music that is true to her while paying homage to the complex backstory of rap and hip hop.

In 2017, Lonely Soul Clothing [LSC], a unisex collection, was launched. Their brand’s inspiration incorporates the designs from horror movie posters and classic tattoos. As a kid, the founder’s father allowed him to watch horror films during weekend stays. He was heavily tattooed; and hence, created his interest in body art. Regrettably, his father passed away when he was only nine years of age. Years afterward, he received his first tattoo.

Currently, LSC sponsors a boxing club called unit85boxing on Instagram. They’re exceedingly passionate about providing young people with a positive outlet rather than roaming the streets and getting into trouble.

In the close future, Lonely Soul Clothing plans to partner with tattoo conventions as well as small rock festivals around the UK. Their ultimate goal is to be sold in stores.

Ann Arbor is a small town unlike any other, primarily because it is not a small town at all; with a population of over 120,000, Ann Arbor is actually classified as a city. Although some aspects of Ann Arbor do resemble city-like characteristics, there is also an obvious small-town vibe. Basically, what we’re saying is that if a big city got together with a quaint little town and they had a baby, its name would be Ann Arbor. Fondly referred to as A2 by the locals, the city is located just 50 miles west of Michigan’s hub, Detroit. Although technically an exurb (a prosperous area beyond the suburbs that absorbs influences from the larger city) of Detroit, Ann Arbor embodies a unique personality of its own. Ann Arbor is the younger, more mellow neighbor to the bigger, more energetic Detroit. While Detroit may be the party house on the block, Ann Arbor is more akin to the house that is surrounded by a white-picket-fence with a University of Michigan flag hanging proudly by the front door. Ann Arbor is the epitome of a college town.

Just 13 years after the city was founded in 1824, the University of Michigan relocated from Detroit to Ann Arbor, meaning that the city’s cultural foundation was built around the university which has resulted in an exuberant amount of Wolverine pride. At the core of all of that pride is “The Big House”, also known as Michigan Stadium. “The Big House” earned it’s nicknamed due to its sheer immensity. The stadium holds the record for the largest stadium in the United States and comes in at second for title of largest stadium in the world. The stadium’s capacity, which is officially listed as 109,901, is big enough to accommodate almost the entire population of Ann Arbor. Every seat in “The Big House” is necessary as game attendance often exceeds 111,000 fans. The Wolverine’s football team have earned the right to call this magnificent area their home field as they are the winningest collegiate football team in NCAA history. Even just stepping foot on the turf during our tour of the stadium made us feel like winners. When game day rolls around, the city becomes a sea of blue and gold.

The university is not the only reason to visit. Ann Arbor’s diverse food scene is ripe with international flair. There are over 300 restaurants with menus inspired by cuisines from all over the world with atmospheres that will satisfy the wildest dining dreams. Whether you’re in the mood for a fancy, black-tie dining extravaganza or a laid-back snack from a quirky food truck, Ann Arbor has it all. We treated ourselves to a fine dining experience at Taste Kitchen. The high-quality ingredients combined with the expertise of the staff are what makes the blend of French and New American style dishes so delicious. Miss Kim’s Korean restaurant was perfect when we were in the mood to sit back and relax with a fabulous Korean style meal with a little Michigan twist. The restaurant’s owner and namesake designed the menu to showcase Michigan’s bountiful produce and works closely with local farmers to ensure the food is always at the highest possible quality. Miss Kim’s prides itself on offering a carefree and fun environment to its guests. Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina offers patrons the best of both worlds. The restaurant opened its first location in Southfield, Michigan with the intent to provide diners with a casual dining experience while still maintaining supreme standards of cleanliness and authentic cooking, adopting the motto “we feed you like we feed our family.” Bigalora is the pioneer of biga fermented pizza in the state of Michigan. The restaurant’s success led to several more locations opening up throughout the metropolitan area, including Ann Arbor. Biga lovers can grab a slice anytime anywhere from the food truck or even book the truck for catering services.

We planned a trip to world class indoor rock climbing facility, Planet Rock, but before we could transform ourselves into world class rock-climbers, we had to look the part. We outfitted ourselves at Bivouac, a men’s and women’s gear and clothing store that was founded in 1970. We may have bought way more than we needed for our upcoming adventure but we just couldn’t help ourselves! Bivouac’s array of unique merchandise is perfect for every occasion, whether it be a weeklong camping trip or a night out on the town. Once we had nearly emptied our wallets, we were ready to take on Planet Rock. Unfortunately, we had been so distracted by the stylish clothing at Bivouac, we completely forgot to pick up some climbing gear. Luckily, Planet Rock pro shop carries all essential gear for both indoor and outdoor climbing sessions. The facility caters to recreational climbers as well as those training to climb competitively. The climbing walls are fun for everyone and the challenging features are sure to interest even the most experienced climbers. The topography of the wall design may result in a few missteps and slip-ups but Planet Rock has installed an innovative mat system that will suitably cushion the occasional fall. By the end of our session, we were exhausted and in serious need of some chill vibes and good food. We replenished the burnt calories at Fred’s, a trendy health conscious restaurant a few blocks away from the University of Michigan.

By the time we refueled, our heads were still in the clouds from our rock climbing adventure and we weren’t quite ready to land just yet so we went over to the Yankee Air Museum, located just 30 minutes away from Ann Arbor in the city of St. Belleville, Michigan where the sky is the limit. Literally. The museum opened its doors in 1981 and really took off when it acquired a small collection of flyable aircrafts, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell Bomber, and C-47 Skytrain. The museum’s popularity soared right along with its visitors once the opportunity was extended to the public to fly on some of America’s most iconic flying machines. Our team was lucky enough to have a chance to ride aboard the C-47 Skytrain. With the wind beneath our wings, we glided through the sky in that bright yellow airplane and admired the beautiful city of Ann Arbor below. Although we flew for a reasonable length of time, it felt like we were only up there for a few seconds. We guess it’s true when people say, “time flies when you’re having fun.” Our feet were back on the ground and we felt sad that our stay in Ann Arbor was coming to an end. 360 Magazine’s President, Vaughn Lowery, loved the trip so much that he decided to nab a souvenir before we left so he could carry the experience around with him for the rest of his life. Michael Aul, a local tattoo artist who works at one of Ann Arbor’s best shops, Spiral Tattoo, drew up a stunning design and inked it onto Lowery’s arm. Much like a tattoo, the memories of our experience in the beautiful city of Ann Arbor will last a lifetime.

Other Notable Ann Arbor Hotspots

Humane Society of Huron Valley Animal Shelter vows to love and protect the animals of Ann Arbor by encouraging and enforcing responsible care. Their mission is to adequately nurture the animals that come into their shelter until they can be placed in loving homes and also to provide educational services about animal care to the community in an effort to combat animal cruelty. http://www.hshv.org

Yourist Studio Gallery exhibits and celebrates the works of clay artists, potters, printmakers, sculptors, and painters. Their diversified classes are held in the fully-equipped studio workspace and are offered for advanced and introductory level students. http://www.youristpottery.com

Ypsi Alehouse is located in the Centennial Center Building in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Founded in 1982, Ypsi is not only one of the first breweries in Michigan, but also one of the first in the country. Guests can wash down the delicious food with one of the 12 unique brews that are crafted from the finest local ingredients. https://ypsialehouse.com/

VinBar is one of Northern Michigan’s finest wine bars and is located in downtown Ann Arbor. All wines come from Black Star Farms and cocktails are made from Grand Traverse Distillery spirits. VinBar customers can enjoy the cozy, yet contemporary atmosphere and munch on small bites that pair perfectly with the drinks. http://www.vinbara2.com

Mélange is a French word that literally means “a mixture”. The restaurant is named due to the unique combination of diverse culinary influences that make up the foundation of the menu. Taste buds embark on an epic journey with every bite. http://www.melangebistro.com

Nightcap is exactly what it sounds like: the perfect way to end (or begin) a great night out. Ann Arbor’s newest cocktail bar is open every day of the week except for Tuesday from 5 PM – 2 AM. Their drinks are mixed with the finest and freshest ingredients and the staff is devoted to excellence and quality. https://www.nightcapbara2.com/

The Graduate hotel is just minutes away from iconic Ann Arbor destinations such as Kempf House and University of Michigan. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with refrigerators, flat-screen televisions, and complimentary WiFi. https://www.graduatehotels.com/ann-arbor/

Yankee Air Museum is “where history takes flight.” The museum’s goal is to educate people about American aviation, aerospace technology, and Willow Run, the birthplace of Rosie the Riveter. Visitors can opt to soar through the sky in one of the museum’s historic flyable planes. http://yankeeairmuseum.org

Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina is famous for their mouth-watering biga fermented pizza. Pizza lovers rejoice as the Bigalora is committed to their motto: “we feed you like we feed our family.” http://bigalora.com

The Brinery was founded in 2010 with the intent to preserve a surplus of fresh cabbage by making it into sauerkraut. The operation expanded and went on to make more batch ferments and processes over 200,000 pounds of local family farmed vegetables per year. https://thebrinery.com

Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars opened its first tasting room in Traverse City, Michigan in 2007 and has since expanded to opening four additional locations, including one in Ann Arbor. Fustini’s prides itself on the quality is taste of their products, offering healthy and flavorful additions to any home-cooked meal. https://www.fustinis.com

Spiral Tattoo is among the best tattoo shops in Ann Arbor and has maintained its superb reputation for over 13 years. Although the shop specializes in Traditional Tribal and Americana styles, the talented artists can masterfully ink just about any design in whatever style is desired.https://www.facebook.com/pg/spiraltattooannarbor/

Taste Kitchen believes that the first step to preparing good quality food is knowing exactly where the ingredients come from. The variety of menu selections are a delicious blend of French and New American cuisine and are cooked to perfection with the highest quality ingredients available. http://www.tastekitchena2.com/#restaurant

The Last Word embodies an old-fashioned aesthetic and gives off serious speakeasy vibes. The dimly-lit underground locale is decorated with vintage style furniture and the book-themed menu offers a variety of drinks and late-night bites. Well-dressed bartenders serve up both classic and original cocktails while patrons enjoy the live music and unique ambiance. https://thelastwordbar.com

At Candy Bar, it doesn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, bi, queer, trans, whatever; everyone (over the age of 18) is invited to the weekly dance party. Satisfy your sweet tooth every Thursday at LIVE nightclub. http://livea2.com

Blind Pig is the music venue that helped put Ann Arbor on the map. The club opened in 1971 and originally only showcased blues style music to the wide range of clientele that frequented the venue. Ownership changed in the 80’s and the atmosphere of the club followed suit. The 90’s brought about “grunge” music and Blind Pig became one of the first to book the then unknown start-up band, Nirvana, that would later describe Blind Pig as their all-time favorite venue. http://www.blindpigmusic.com

The Big House, also known as Michigan Stadium, is the largest stadium in the United States and the second largest stadium in the world. The stadium is home to the University of Michigan Wolverines and was built in 1927. http://mgoblue.com/

Fred’s is a health-centered café that is located within walking distance of the University of Michigan. The assortment of acai bowls, salads, smoothies, and various toast options makes eating healthy the ideal and tastiest option. https://fredsannarbor.com

Planet Rock has been offering its world-class indoor rock climbing facility to the public since 1994. Climbers of all ages and experience levels will enjoy the innovative design of the walls and landing mats that Planet Rock has perfected in order to enhance everyone’s rock climbing experience. http://www.planet-rock.com

Jolly Pumpkin is a local chain that brews artisan ales. With six different locations throughout the state, it is undeniable that Jolly Pumpkin is a Michigan favorite. The Ann Arbor location is not only a brewery but it is also a café that offers delectable dishes to pair with the hand-crafted beers, wines, or cocktails also listed on the extensive menu. http://www.jollypumpkin.com

Final Round Training Center is a personalized mixed martial arts training facility that offers classes 7 days and individual lessons. Beginners, experts, and everyone in between is sure get their booty kicked (in a god way) by the skilled coaches that are devoted to understanding the individual goals of each client and helping them to succeed. http://finalroundannarbor.com

KindleFest is a one day annual festivity that takes place on the first Friday of December in the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market. The four-hour event features artisans, farmers, and retailers selling unique goods at unbeatable prices to holiday shoppers and downtown businesses stay open after traditional hours to participate in the festivities and offer some holiday bargains of their own. The assortment of traditional food, mulled wines, crafted beers, and family-friendly activities are an added bonus to the highly anticipated night. http://kerrytown.org/kindlefest/

Aventura is the brainchild of restaurateur Sava Lelcaj, who bought the building out due to her fascination with its history. Lelcaj decided to transform the building into a space that would celebrate her fixation with Spanish culture and cuisine, particularly with tapas-style dining and its intent to bring people together through food. http://aventuraannarbor.com

The Earle delivers scrumptious award-winning French and Italian country style meals and an epic wine list that features over 1,200 selections to choose from and has been given the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for 21 consecutive years. Jazz music resonates through the dining room five nights a week for an uncontested high-class dining experience. http://theearle.com

Necto Nightclub is all about serving up good drinks, good music, and good vibes. Weekly theme nights such as Factory Monday, one of the longest-running Goth-Industrial style nights in the U.S., and Pride Friday, one of the largest weekly LGBTQ+ parties in Michigan, revamp the atmosphere frequently to ensure that every night is a good night. https://www.necto.com

Zingerman’s Deli is the birthplace of some of the best sandwiches every ingested in Ann Arbor. Each sandwich is made-to-order therefore the opportunities are endless. The Deli is also proudly stocked with an array of fine farmhouse cheeses, olive oils, vinegars, fish, salamis, coffees, teas, and much, much more. https://www.zingermansdeli.com

Zingerman’s Roadhouse is the seventh member of the Zingerman family of businesses. Following the success of the Deli, Zingerman’s has committed itself to providing Ann Arbor with great-tasting foods as well as fun and informational eating experiences for guests to enjoy and they have traveled the country looking for inspiration on how to do just that. The Roadhouse has allowed the Zingerman’s franchise to bring traditional foods from all over the U.S. back home to Ann Arbor. https://www.zingermansroadhouse.com/

Bivouac was founded in 1971 as an army surplus store and has since expanded evolved to cater to a much larger audience. Bivouac, which has adopted the slogan “Outfit Your Life”, is essentially a one-stop-shop that serves a wide array of shopping needs. The store carries an immense collection of both men’s and women’s clothing and gear and has the means to prepare customers for any and every adventure. https://www.bivouacannarbor.com

Miss Kim is another member of the Zingerman’s family. The restaurant was named for the restaurant’s lead female chef, Ji Hye Kim. Raised in Seoul, South Korea, Kim greatly admires ancient Korean culinary traditions and seeks to practice the cooking methodologies of her home country while using ingredients native to the state of Michigan. http://misskimannarbor.com/#home